Watch James Casey Lead Phil Lesh & Friends On Moving ‘Dear Prudence’ At His Final Concert

Saxophonist James Casey sadly died this morning after persevering through a valiant colon cancer battle for two years. Casey took the stage for the last time just over one month prior as a member of Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh‘s Phil Lesh & Friends ensemble at the Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut on July 23, 2023.

James Casey was part of a band for a three-night Phil & Friends run that also saw the 83-year-old bassist joined by son Grahame Lesh on guitar, John Molo on drums, keyboardist Jason Crosby, trumpeter Jennifer Hartswick and guitarist Eric Krasno. Casey, who headed off stage a few times, made it through the first three songs of the second set before he was unable to finish the concert.

Phil Lesh & Friends opened with the chorus and hook to “Dark Star” and then swerved into a different key and embarked on a jam that eventually gave way to “China Cat Sunflower” and frequent companion “I Know You Rider.” James Casey played sax on “China Cat” and sang harmony for “Rider.” He then left the stage as the band performed a “Loser” helmed by Grahame and his TAB sib Jennifer Hartswick belted out “Deep Elem Blues.”

Casey returned to the stage to provide backing vocals on the tailend of “Deep Elem Blues.” James was then greeted to a huge cheer from the crowd as he stepped to the mic to sing “Dear Prudence.” Casey shined in helming the classic tune from The Beatles’ White Album that was frequently played by the Jerry Garcia Band. The saxophonist sang from his heart and his covered multiple octaves to the delight of the audience. Krasno then stepped into the spotlight for a set-closing “They Love Each Other” after Casey left the stage.

Phil Lesh & Friends launched their second set at Westville Music Bowl with “Help On The Way.” Casey sang lead vocals on “Help,” the final song which he fronted. The ensuing “Slipknot!” melted into “Let It Grow” featuring James Casey on sax. “Let It Grow” would be the last song performed by James, as he left the stage before Hartswick helmed “Scarlet Begonias.” Next came the “Dark Star” hinted at earlier, a Krasno-captained “Playing In The Band” and the “Franklin’s Tower” that completed the beloved triumvariate started at the beginning of the frame.

Bassist Phil Lesh, who needed to sit for the encore, gave his “Donor Rap” and then introduced the members of his band. Casey quickly came out to receive applause from concertgoers before leaving his bandmates to finish the show with “Brokedown Palace.”

View fan-shot footage of the full Phil Lesh & Friends show from July 23, 2023 below: